The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-10-20
A BOY WHO SMOKED.
This Story Tells How He Came to
Quit It.

The high school boys had never heard
of Victor Hugo's THE Man Who
Laughs" when they dubbed one of
their number 'The Boy Who Smokes. "
He came among them at the beginning
of the year, stranger. With admir-
ing wonder, they saw him light cigar
cites at recess, and puff real, big, brown
cigars on Saturday afternoons. and so
gave him his title. After time, he
Richard Gordon-was called Gordon.
as Charlie was called Hamilton, and
Joe, Williams. But outside of his par
ticular circle of friends, he retained the
distinction of being 1.-The Boy Who
Smokes"
One Saturday. after short game of
ball on the upper green, Gordon and
Charlie sauntered off together. They
were great friends, but unlike in char
acter, as great friends are apt to be.
Charlie was the most popular boy in
school, Gordon was at first inclined to
be jealous, but soon yielded TO his un-
failing good-humor and the fascination
of a certain stumpy pencil which traced
in well-rubbed notebook wonderful
faces, beautiful, ridiculous, horrible, or
more interesting still, ones own, in
perfect likeness, with any sort of ex-
preston desired.
Lets go up to the grove; L want to
take smoke, and l have to be rather
careful nowadays because Aunt Kate
is at our house." said Gordon. 81 think
she has told mother that l smoke"
Walnut Grove" sloped gently to
the edge of a beautiful, quiet lake.
which lay blue and sparkling in the
afternoon sunshine; and presently the
ooys were seated on flat, lichen-
covered rock, which large old stump
at one side had made into a comforta-
bic, high hacked bench. Gordon drew
a cigar from his pocket and lighted it
with a grand air. signing, as he looked
reproachfully at Charlie: Il do wish
you would smoke, Ham," (short for
Hamilton).
"Bah!' replied Charlie, skipping a
stone. Zone, two, three, four, five,
six--seven! Could you do that?"
Il know you'd like it in a little
while"
''Probably---it isn't that: my ejacula-
ton, sir, had deeper meaning, but
your feeble mind is doubtless unable to
grasp it. Ahemr'
"Your father smokes" persisted
Gordon, watching, through the delicate
blue wreaths, crow sailing over a dis
tant field.
Yes; and I've heard him saw forty
times that he wished he had never be-
gun. / shouldn't feel particularly
proud to have to say what he did to
mother this morning." And Charlie.
in penitent attitude and tone of
deep humility, quoted; Excuse me,
my dear, but tobacco and dyspepsia 90
together. and a smoker is always cross
before breakfast
Gordon laughed; then he said: 90
pshaw!' and after moment: But it
is such social habit"
80 is chewing gum," returned
Charlie. "a lot of fellows would look
sensible, wouldn't they? passing around
a box of spruce: do take one my dear
fellow-superiOr quality from
the forests of Maine-splendid flavor"
Gordon said 90 pshawr' again.
You don't know anything about it:
there is an effect from smoking-a-a
its so soothingr
IF the effect / have Observed" re-
marked Charlie dryly, ''is what you
call soothing, 1 believe l don't care to
experience it"
Gordon gave a quick look into
Charles face, but it was calm and ex-
pressionlesS; and he went on: 1.-The
fact is, Ham, you can't make the right
sort of man unless you smoke. It's
manly to smoke"
''Oh! well, | believe l know some
presty decent men who don't smoke:
Senator Hitchcock. Judge Morris, and
DIR. Goldsby, for instance As to the
manliness of it. you may feel it all, but
/ must say you don't look very manly
shying around trees and the corners of
the school-house with your cigarettes.
and smoking down here on a rock
where your Aunt Kate csa't see you,
and where the wind will blow the
smoke out of your clothes so she can't
smell YOU"
This time Gordon flushed angrily.
-'If you mean to insult me-" he began,
but Charlie turned with the laughing
light in his soft, brown eyes, and the
smile every one liked, and said:
-'Come, Dickl you know don't, and
know it's true, and you can't quarrel
with me, you know"
Gordon did know it all; therefore he
subsidized rather helplessly into friendli-
ness, and Charlie prudently changed
she subject to one less dangerous.
'Rowed any to-day2"
mo. haven't; felt one of my con-
founded headaches coming on this
morning and gave it up. l wish l
hadn't noW."